Blog

Before I started a training company or worked in the ad biz, I was among other things, a TV host. I got this gig by pitching some development ideas to a TV production company. Watching me do my thing, the President suddenly commented; “You know, you should be on camera.” Hell YEAH I should!! And thus my accidental TV career was born. But for however slick I might have been at ‘pitching’, I was in no way prepared for the challenges to come. Being on camera, especially live TV or multi-camera shoots, is still to-date the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But boy oh boy, were my learnings ever valuable… Read more >

One of the first things we tell participants is that our Stand & Deliver foundational presentation skills workshop has a ‘cry factor’ of about 9. (Note: All Combustion workshops have a ‘cry factor’ rating which might tell you a lot about our weird and wonderful ways.). Despite it having been deemed “better than therapy” by some, faces usually blanch. Looks are exchanged. Nervous titters. A hand is raised. “Umm, what does that actually mean?” We explain that what we’re trying to help them do is find their voice. The authentic stripped down one. Not the bullshit persona voice that’s been built up as armor from years of negative criticism, fear… Read more >